And So It Begins….

Welcome my new friends!

My name is April and It’s been quite a year of ups and downs for me, but I know that it has all led me to this moment in time. I look forward to writing this blog, introducing you to simple ways to take time ,and enjoy yourself. Everyone in this world is in such a hurry that sometimes they forget just how to enjoy themselves! I used to live that life. I was not working to live, I was living to work. My marriage suffered because of it, my health, and it led to a live not worth living.

My health began on a downward spiral in late September/early October. I had to have a partial hysterectomy suddenly and then my Crohn’s disease spun out of control. Though I anticipated on being back to work within a week of surgery, it had now been five. Bills were piling up and I spent half of my time in and out of doctors’ offices and er visits. I sunk into a deep depression and eventually when my dance studio of six years closed, I was quite heartbroken. I thought my entire world was ending. I thought I could no longer do what I was “born” to do. I cried for days upon end about it. I really did not think that life could get much worse. People were starting to doubt me, friends no longer called, and I was shrinking away into nothing.

So what did I do? I turned to God. I got on my knees and asked the lord to please shine a light into my darkest hour. I focused on the good in this life and positive people that uplifted me. Though most of the negative people were already out of my life, I said “goodbye” to the rest of them as well. From that moment forward, I was ready to live my life. I started taking time to truly appreciate what I had in this life. I quit making excuses for myself and started to live.

So what is 81collective? This is my vision of what God has in store for me. This is my journey with faith, love, family, do it yourself, dance, health, and cooking. So please, follow my dancers as I show them how to inspire others, let’s teach each others some new recipes, let’s try some do it yourself ideas, let’s really connect with each other, and let’s follow the words of the Lord..together!